General Manager, Rene Rodrigue, Shares His Thoughts on the Opening and the Future of McBain
The summer of 2024 will be a momentous one for McBain. We are thrilled to announce that our new flagship location at Mayfield Square in Edmonton has opened its doors! This state-of-the-art location is set to become a hub for photography enthusiasts, offering the latest camera technology, exceptional services, and a welcoming, creativity-focused atmosphere featuring a classroom and studio space.
To give you an inside look at what's in store, we sat down with our general manager, Rene Rodrigue, to discuss the ambitious new location, the enhanced shopping experience customers will enjoy, and the exciting plans for the future. Read on to learn more about what makes McBain Camera's shiny new store unique and what you can look forward to in the coming months!
What inspired the decision to open a new flagship store at Mayfield Square?
When hunting for a location for our new flagship, we were mindful of several necessary factors, but the biggest among them was regional access. Mayfield is unique in the Edmonton area, with excellent access to several major highways and arterial roads, allowing customers an easy drive. Further, this particular location is in a bright, clean and safe area of the city, with an overall excellent atmosphere for our customers.
Can you tell us about some unique features and offerings that customers can expect at the new store?
The most exciting new facility in our Mayfield location is the new McBain Creator Classroom. This space will allow us to host workshops, classes, and other skill-focused activities and provide the Edmonton region's photographers and videographers with a go-to place to level up their skillsets.Also, this facility can be converted into a rentable studio space when not used as a classroom. This second function is currently being built, and we will speak more about it once it's available.
How will the new store enhance the shopping experience for McBain customers?
The new Mayfield location is all about education, conversation, and trying out new equipment. We've built this new store with those goals in mind, so there is much greater access to playing with equipment, as well as space provided to educate our customers and have conversations about their needs. Even the front counter has been transformed, thanks to our new consultation counter, where customers can sit and have a chat while they try out the latest cameras, lenses, and many other bits of shiny new gear.
What are your goals for the new flagship store in the coming year?
Simply, we want to give customers the best experience possible. We are combining what worked in the past with newer concepts of in-store design. We're also going to be very active with events and workshops. So, keep an eye on our newsletter and events page for some fun and informative experiences!We're also mindful that we will likely want to shake up our product offerings with our new flagship, and we'd like to hear from you! Come by sometime, and let us know if there's anything we still need to include.
Are there any upcoming photography workshops or events that customers should know about?
This year marks McBain's 75th anniversary, and we're planning some fun events for all our locations to celebrate this summer. Keep your eye out for more news on this big event!